Building the complete cricketer! CWI invests in West Indies women’s future

The road to international cricket is being mapped out for 22 of the Caribbean’s most promising young female cricketers, but Cricket West Indies is making sure that journey extends far beyond runs, wickets and technique.

Following the 2026 Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 Championship, the players spent two weeks in Antigua at CWI’s High-Performance Camp, where the emphasis was as much on developing the person as refining the player.

The camp forms a key part of CWI’s long-term pathway toward the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2027.

Technical, tactical and physical preparation remained at the heart of the program. But CWI also deliberately created space for areas that can determine whether a talented young player successfully makes the transition to international cricket: mental strength, leadership, media awareness, communication and personal development.

Training the mind for high-performance cricket

For young athletes approaching the international level, the pressure can be as demanding as the competition itself.

A dedicated mental development session challenged the players to examine how they respond to pressure and adversity while building the mindset required for sustained high performance.

Confidence, resilience, concentration and mental preparation were among the key areas addressed, giving the players an opportunity to understand the psychological demands that accompany a career in elite sport.

CWI High-Performance Manager Dwain Gill said those lessons are indispensable to the organization's development strategy.

“Our responsibility is not only to develop better cricketers, but to help develop young people who understand what it means to operate in a high-performance environment and represent West Indies cricket. The mental, media, and personal development sessions were therefore an important part of this camp. These are young players who are potentially moving towards an international stage, and we want to equip them with the tools, confidence and awareness they need to navigate that journey successfully.”

Finding their voice off the field

The players were also introduced to another part of modern professional sport that can be just as demanding as competition itself: the media spotlight.

Through dedicated media training, they worked through interviews and simulated scenarios designed to improve their communication skills and confidence in public settings.

The sessions encouraged the young cricketers to think carefully about how they tell their stories, respond when placed under pressure and conduct themselves as representatives of West Indies cricket.

For players potentially destined for the international stage, the exercise was about more than learning how to answer questions. It was about understanding the responsibility that comes with wearing the West Indies colors.

Leadership begins with being heard

The camp also gave the players direct access to CWI's management and staff, creating an opportunity for dialogue about their experiences and aspirations.

Chief Executive Officer Chris Dehring led a session with the group, using the occasion to hear firsthand about the players' journeys while outlining CWI's vision for their development.

“It was important to spend time with these young women, hear their stories, learn about their journeys, and better understand what is needed from us as an organization. It provided an opportunity for us to ensure they understand that they are not alone in their journey as their development is a priority for us, indeed, the very purpose for CWI’s existence.”

Dehring also used the session to give the players a clearer picture of where West Indies cricket is heading, including plans for the development of a High-Performance Centre and other facilities in their home countries.

“We also wanted to give them a sense of where CWI is heading, particularly with the development of the High-Performance Centre and other new facilities to be established in their home countries.”

A pathway built for the future

The commitment comes against a backdrop of challenging domestic circumstances for some of the young players, something Dehring said made their determination particularly striking.

“Their enthusiasm and determination, despite some very challenging domestic circumstances, was inspirational to say the least.”

That determination is precisely what CWI hopes to harness through a pathway that combines cricketing development with preparation for the realities of professional sport.

“We are committed to giving these talented young cricketers the support, facilities and pathways needed to develop and perform at the highest level.”

The World Cup is only one destination

For the 22 Rising Stars, the ultimate target may be the 2027 Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, but CWI's ambitions for them stretch considerably further.

The Antigua camp was designed to help young players understand what it takes to build sustainable careers, not simply how to perform on match day.

They leave with more than additional hours of cricket training. They have been exposed to the mental discipline required to compete, the communication skills demanded by the public spotlight, and a broader understanding of what it means to represent the West Indies.

The message from CWI is clear: developing the next generation of international cricketers means preparing them for every part of the journey.

The boundary, in other words, is only the beginning.